Loss of Breath, a rwby fanfic

…

The boundaries which divide Life from Death
are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall
say where the one ends, and the other
begins?

-Edgar Allan Poe

…

Silence filled the dark woods. It lay behind every tree, waited among the bare limbs, and crouched below every root. It hovered above the unbroken snow which blanketed everything for miles around like a shroud, watching, waiting. No creature dared disturb it. No breeze dared interrupt it. Cold, heavy silence.

Ruby Rose watched the trees with a wary eye as she quietly crunched her way along the old path, making shallow tracks in the snow. She'd already been through here once tonight, but her tracks had been reclaimed in the short time she'd spent talking to Mom. No matter; Ruby knew every trail on the island like the back of her hand. Patch held no surprises anymore.

Still, it never hurt to be prepared. The Creatures of Grimm had an annoying habit of popping up at the worst possible times, even here.

Ruby reached back and put a hand on the large metal tool to make sure it was still there, just under her cloak and mounted to the back of her toolbelt. Mom's old weapon was not something she had gotten used to yet, but the weight and feel of it pressing against her back was a comfort right now. If all went well then she would never have to actually use Crescent Rose, the signature weapon of her late mother.

Summer Rose… at one time the greatest Huntress on Remnant. Now dead and gone. Leaving behind a devastated husband, two children (only one of which maintained enough motivation to follow in her footsteps), and a High-Caliber Sniper Scythe that was apparently intended to be passed on to her; Ruby got the weapon in spite of her utter refusal to attend Signal and put herself in harm's way, and nothing she could say would ever make Dad change his mind. It belonged to her now. While she had enough skill with a gun to handle the thing in an emergency, there was no way in the nine hells Ruby would ever be able to swing such a ridiculously huge gardening tool in a fight, Aura or no Aura. The Grimm would eat her alive.

But they also follow negative emotions, like fear. Ruby swallowed hard and took a deep breath, collected herself and kept walking. Best to get home before her imagination got the better of her and attracted one of those things anyway.

Then again, she was almost in sight of the house, and Yang might appreciate the workout. Once they left in the morning to meet up with Dad over in Vale, Ruby wouldn't see much of her sister again for possibly quite a long time.

Nah… Ruby shook her head with a smirk. Not tonight. First they had a salmon dinner to eat, then it was bedtime.

…

… … … … …

…

Earlier this afternoon it was bright and cold, with just a hint of icy weather on the horizon. The Island of Patch had already turned entirely to Fall colors, rendering the normally green location a patchwork quilt of rust red and pumpkin orange. Needless to say, it was Ruby's favorite time of year.

"Enjoy it, kiddo… weather-man's callin' for snow tonight," said Cob. He didn't look away from his work as he spoke to the teenager, since taking your eyes off a razor-sharp filet knife tended to lead to missing fingers. The salmon stood no chance against the fishmonger.

Ruby didn't mind; she kept a half-smile on her face as she took in Cob's little shack. The salty sea air mixed with the fishy smell of his produce in that way that just feels like the ocean, a smell anyone who grew up in a coastal town would know instantly. The sound of the waves lapping against the boat just outside was like a lullaby. Seagulls added their tunes every now and again, creating a perfect ambiance.

Once Cob finished cleaning the fish, he wrapped it and handed the bundle to Ruby. "'Ere you go."

"Thanks," she said as she fished out a few spare Lien.

Cob stopped her with a raised hand, "Nah, don't worry about it. This one's on me… you and your sister better enjoy it, you hear?"

"You sure? I can afford it…"

"No worries, kid. I don't mind." The older man wiped his hands on his apron, which made him look like a slightly bloody marshmallow, and sighed. "Even though you're practically my only customer nowadays."

Ruby blinked. "Only…? I thought you served the whole island? What about your buyers over in Vale?"

"They still order, but I can't really deliver anymore. Damn boats won't run themselves, you know."

"…?"

"Ehh…" Cob paused, clearly debating how much he should spill, then said, "Lost my last 3 guys this week. Just… up and walked away. I'm all that's left. No one cares about fish anymore, it seems."

"Aw… are you serious?" Ruby's mood quickly fell as she realized the old man, whom she'd known all her life, might end up quitting his lifelong business over something like this.

"'Fraid so. And don't even think about asking to work for me – I can see it in your eyes, you know – I won't have it. Your sister has her Huntress duties, but you have your own dream, yeah?"

It was true, and Ruby studied the floor judiciously. The fact she even had her tool belt on during her visit to town pretty much gave it away. "Yeah… you're right. It's just… I can't help it. Isn't there anything I can do?"

Cob smiled, laughing quietly. "You're a good kid, Ruby. A lot like your Mum. But I'm old, and long past my prime anyway. Fishin'… this is no place for a man to live out his days. Tell you true, just having you fix up my cooler last year probably kept my doors open all by itself."

Ruby grinned, scratching the back of her head.

"But I'm tired. Wore out. And with no one left to help me… I guess all I can do is close up." Cob sighed again, this time looking more defeated than Ruby had ever seen him look before. "You enjoy your fish, kiddo… maybe I'll see you around."

"Y-yeah…" Ruby smiled sadly, tears just starting to form in the corners of her eyes. "Good luck with… whatever you do next."

Cob didn't reply, but waved without looking up. He quietly started cleaning the few fish he had left. If nothing else, they'd make good scraps for the stray cats on the island. Ruby backed out the door, hoping this wouldn't be the last time she'd ever see the older man.

…

… … … … …

…

The broken moon shone down on the woods in a way that made Ruby wonder if its ethereal glow was the opposite of light; it felt cold rather than warm, casting a blue tint over the world that felt as though it was hiding more horrors than pitch-black darkness ever could. It was unsettling. This combined with the utter, impenetrable silence all around her gave Ruby a sense of dread that did not belong anywhere near her hometown.

Patch was home, both the island and the little community living on it. She'd grown up here, with Mom and Dad and Yang. She knew everybody in town. She'd ridden the ferry over to Vale no less than three times by herself, dang it. This island was where she belonged.

At least… it used to be.

…

… … … … …

…

Late morning carried a damp chill. Ruby Rose waited patiently in line at the pharmacy as the older man in front of her, Mister Douglas, fiddled with his checkbook. They were the only two customers in the store, and it was clear from just one look around that things were not going well; lots of shelves were empty, the three remaining employees not even bothering to restock. And that was after you got inside past the handwritten 'Going Out of Business' signs taped up around the front door. The place was in a sad state, really.

Once Mister Douglas was gone, Ruby quietly walked up to the counter and handed over her prescription. Terry, a younger guy who'd moved to the island a few years back, took it and quietly went to go find the order, leaving Ruby to rock back and forth on her heels.

At just 15 years old, Ruby had yet to hit anything that resembled a growth spurt; she stood a mere 4' 4" barefoot, with shoulder-length hair a deep, nearly black shade of red that faded to a blood red at the tips (this was natural, and don't let anybody tell you otherwise). Her bright silver colored eyes glanced down at her watch as she considered what to grab for supper tonight. It had to be something nice to celebrate Yang going to Beacon, but funds weren't exactly overflowing these days. Fish would probably be best.

Terry came back with her meds and they finished the exchange with only a muttered 'thank you' before he went in the back and hid again. No one else came into the pharmacy. Ruby left as quietly as she came in, silently wondering what could have driven the place to the brink like this. She tucked the medication into an open pouch on her toolbelt.

The breeze was cold and damp; Ruby zipped up her red windbreaker and plopped both hands in the front pocket as she walked down to the shore. The jacket was enough for now, but she usually added her bright red hood and cloak for when it got extra chilly. The wind was too cold to wear any kind of skirt right now, so she'd settled for a comfy pair of blue jeans and her boots. They made a nice clomping sound as she made her way to the docks. Cob usually had something worth the Lien, so she followed the sound of the waves.

As she drew closer to the coast, the cold air carried the wonderful smell of salt and fish. It always made her smile.

Though the absence of any seagulls was… a little strange.

…

… … … … …

…

As she walked through the dark woods, Ruby made a mental note to ask Dad about possibly moving to Vale proper someday. Just ask. No matter how much the island appeared to be dying, she didn't want to just pack up and run away for no good reason.

And it was dying, let's be honest – the pier where Cob's Market stood now only hosted a small handful of fishing boats, a sharp contrast to a year earlier when the place was packed to the brim with hulls and sails ready to cast off. The few buildings near the water that once housed supply shops and fisheries were almost all boarded up and dark. There was nothing beneath the soothing sounds of the waves. It was painfully quiet. The rest of town wasn't much better even as she made her way home after picking up some food, with numerous windows boarded shut and more than a few buildings closed. Even the stray cats had gone into hiding.

A lot had happened over the last few months, but someone as small and unimportant as Ruby would have no chance of understanding what or why it had gone so bad. Maybe Dad might have some clue. Certainly couldn't hurt to ask while they were in town tomorrow. She could probably get him to explain it to both of his daughters at once, like a little family story time.

Anything that could keep Yang around for a little while longer would be a net positive.

…

… … … … …

…

BAM!

Ruby gave a yelp as her face hit the floorboards, jarring her fully awake more than the nightmare ever could. She scrambled back up onto her bed, panting, and quickly grabbed Grandma's pendant from the nightstand before encasing herself in the protective shield of her comforter. It took more than a few minutes for her heart to finally slow down, even longer for the lingering images to go away. Gods she hated that dream!

("…run…")

And it always ended with Mom giving her one final warning, the last whisper before she died. It was enough to wake her up in a burst of adrenaline, fight or flight mode, every single time. Heart still pounding, brow sweating, the cool metal of the pendant was comforting in her shaky hands.

It was bad enough that Ruby had actually been in the hospital room with Mom when she died, but no amount of therapy could make the nightmares stop. And they'd tried; Ruby had been to no less than 3 therapists over the last few years, but none of them could help. Dad was at his wit's end. The only thing that had even a remote chance of soothing her nerves was the small silver pendant handed down from her grandmother to Mom, and finally to Ruby herself; it was shaped like a tiny rose just beginning to bloom.

Footsteps outside the room, followed by a gentle knocking. "Rubes? You okay in there?"

"Not really…" Ruby couldn't keep the whine out of her voice.

The door opened to admit a girl with glowing blonde hair and bags under her lilac eyes. Yang was clearly tired, but one look at Ruby changed her face to one of concern. "Another nightmare?"

Ruby could only nod from within her blanket.

Yang grabbed a box of tissues and spent the next few minutes drying Ruby's face off – somewhere along the line she'd soaked herself with either tears or drool – before climbing under the comforter with Ruby and laying them both down together. Ruby sighed, relishing the warm of her sister as she finally started to relax. She kept the pendant firmly in one hand.

"You know… you'd better not be doing this on purpose."

"…Why would I?"

"Oh, I dunno… it might have something to do with me starting classes at Beacon in a few days, and you don't like that?"

"My dear sister, do you really think I would stoop to faking bad nightmares every night just to keep you here so we can sleep together like this?"

"Yes."

"… … …Well you're right, but I'm not faking this."

"At least you admit it."

"Seriously, though… do you really have to go?"

"Rubes, we've already been through this. About 42 times."

"I don't wanna lose you!"

"You won't! For cryin' out loud, remember who you're talking to? I won't die, even if you kill me."

"Yang…that's what Mom said."

"Shit. Sorry, sis."

"As punishment, you have to stay home. No going to Beacon."

"Nice try, Ruby."

"… … …Then at least stay here tonight. I don't wanna be alone right now."

"That I can do."

"Yang?"

"Yes, Ruby?"

"Don't ever leave me… 'kay?"

"Just get some sleep, Rubes… I'm not going anywhere."

…

… … … … …

…

Just before the house came in sight, Ruby stopped walking.

Something was… wrong.

The deep silence that hung over the woods was somehow… deeper now. Almost heavy enough to feel with her skin. Normally a complete silence left her with a faint ringing in her ears as her brain fought to create stimulation, but tonight it was different. Tonight there was nothing at all. For just a moment it felt like all of creation was holding its breath. Like the world was waiting on something to happen.

No shadows flitted in front of the moon. No monsters jumped out from behind the trees, nor from under the snow. Neither Yang nor Dad appeared behind her to scare the bejeebus out of her with a tap on the shoulder so they could break the tension and go home laughing.

Instead Ruby felt… something… moving beneath her boots. Something big.

And it wasn't even a tactile sensation, like the ground heaving up to try and throw her off. It was just… a sense. Nothing more than a tingle in the back of her mind, an ancient method of sensing her environment that modern science couldn't even dream of. There was something under her, and in her heart of hearts Ruby knew this to be true.

Dad's voice echoed in her mind that this was her Aura in action, reading her surroundings and warning her of danger.

("…run…")

Ruby carefully reached for Crescent Rose.

And in the silence of the dark woods… … … the feeling slowly faded away. Whatever was moving under her feet was gone now. She breathed a sigh of relief and almost laughed out loud at how bizarre that was. Literally standing out in the woods at night with no sound, and now her 'sixth sense' kicks in and tells her some kind of monster was under her feet? Dad would never let her hear the end of it. Yang either, but fortunately the elder of the sisters would be occupied for the next little while.

Ruby's relief was so strong that she missed the fact that grandma's pendant, which she always wore under her shirt, was getting hot against her skin.

("…run…!")

Still chuckling with a combination of relief and nerves that refused to calm down, Ruby finally came in sight of the house and blinked; all the lights were off. She hadn't been out that long, had she? There was no way Yang already ate without waiting for her… right? No, it had to be the snow. One of the wires got iced over and finally snapped. It was just a power outage.

And yet, even as her rational mind fought to explain away this oddity, alarm bells were beginning to blare through Ruby's head as she approached the front door. Was her Aura acting up again? No, there was no question, it was definitely her Aura. This was no prank. She'd come home to an empty cabin a few times in her life and it never felt this dark. This hostile.

Ruby swallowed hard and drew Crescent Rose from her back, unfolding it only as far as the gun mode. She swallowed again. Her chin started trembling as she reached for the doorknob with one hand, letting the barrel of Mom's weapon rest on the doorstop.

("Ruby… run…!")

Ruby turned the knob for what felt like hours until it clicked and the door swung open, revealing darkness inside.

But not complete darkness.

That would have been far better than what turned to stare at her.

…

… … … … …

…

"How is she, Oz?"

"Not good. The poor girl is totally exhausted and almost incoherent, but I can't help but feel like she's telling the truth."

"You mean, you believe her? You really think Grimm have overrun Patch?"

"It is not outside the realm of possibility, Glynda. And I just tried to reach my contact on the island; he is not answering. That never happens."

"When I found her in town this evening, she seemed like she was running from something. I did a quick search and found no trace of any Grimm having entered Vale, so I don't-"

"We can never truly know everything about the Creatures of Grimm, my dear. I have been around long enough to know as much. They may seem as simple beasts to you and others, but I know them to be capable of far more… insidious activities."

"Of course, Professor Ozpin."

"Glynda, take a transport and fly over the island, but be certain to use the Autopilot while making your rounds. You should be able to tell what state it's in from above. See if you can find any trace of the girl's sister, as well. However, no matter what you find, do not land and explore on foot. If what the girl said is true, I fear the creatures that now infest the island of Patch are more than you can handle on your own, and so you will need backup."

"And what creatures are those, if I may ask?"

"Based on the words of Ruby Rose… … … I believe we may be dealing with an invasion of the most dangerous Grimm of all…"

"…?"

"Apathy."

…

Author's Note: The back-and-forth style I'm using here is on purpose, as I'm experimenting with a non-linear story structure. I legit don't know if it's gonna work long term, but I feel like it gets across the vibe I'm going for pretty well. I'll probably drop it after a few chapters and go back to a more linear structure, but we'll see.

As for the premise, I was discussing possible horror stories involving Grimm with my editor The Layman and realized that the Apathy are a horror goldmine. I also knew there was promise in the idea of something uniting the Apathy into an intelligent group, as the gaggle of them from v6 was just kinda there. So then what if they had a leader? Or rather… a queen?

No idea when I'll update this, but it's been brewing in my noggin for quite some time already so it's hard to say. I've got a metric ton of other projects on my plate, but I'd be a lot more likely to keep this going if you drop a review… *wink wink*

=^..^=